'Lookout' in Boyne Highlands armed robbery sent to prison

Tracy Turcott, 29, of Petoskey, was sentenced to prison Monday, Feb. 28, in 57th Circuit Court for her involvement in the June 2009 armed robbery of Boyne Highlands Resort.

A Petoskey woman was sentenced to prison Monday, Feb. 28, in 57th Circuit Court for her involvement in the June 2009 armed robbery of Boyne Highlands Resort.

Tracy Turcott, 29, reportedly participated as a lookout for the heist -- during which $21,000 was stolen from a back-office safe and a front-desk worker was held at gunpoint and bound with duct tape.

She, however, claims to have no recollection of the event as a result of being "high on heroin."

In December 2010, Turcott, who was originally charged with armed robbery, which is a life offense, pleaded no contest to larceny in a building, a four-year felony.

During her sentencing Monday, Turcott expressed remorse for her actions.

"I couldn't be sorrier -- I feel bad for everyone who's involved," she said. "I feel horrible to be linked to anything that would take away from anyone's sense of security."

Turcott, who has a lengthy history of substance abuse, said she believed she could turn her life around if she received help through the court system.

"I definitely feel like I need to get the tools to stay clean ... I would never be involved in a crime like this again," she said. "I hope to gain some lessons from this ordeal and move on with my family. I feel I can be an asset to this community."

According to Duane Beach, chief assistant prosecutor for Emmet County, Turcott was recently taken into custody by Charlevoix County authorities for smuggling marijuana and suboxone into the Charlevoix County Jail, as well as selling these drugs to a fellow inmate.

She has since been charged in Charlevoix County with several felonies for this crime.

Judge Charles W. Johnson took this information into account Monday, when sentencing Turcott to two to four years in prison.

"She's been using and abusing various substances for well over 10 years ... this court believes (Turcott) is certainly capable of being a law-abiding citizen, but the drug addict is the one that's standing in front of me," he said. "Based on your actions in the Charlevoix County Jail, you haven't been able to stay away from these substances -- even when you're locked up."

Johnson stated that, although Turcott played a "peripheral" role in the robbery, she still caused damage through her actions.

"You were a participant in a very serious and harmful crime that has a lasting impact on the victims and the community," he said. "You continue to be addicted, and violate the law because you're addicted, which makes you a danger to the community."

Johnson concluded the hearing by sentencing Turcott to serve two to four years in prison, as well as to pay $21,000 in restitution to Boyne Highlands Resort, along with her co-defendants -- 41-year-old Brian Haag of Petoskey, 26-year-old John Carl Ruppen of Traverse City and 40-year-old Jame Rakoniewski.

Ruppen has since been sentenced to 15-30 years in prison for his part as the masked gunman. Rakoniewski was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for his role as the getaway driver.

Haag recently pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery, which is a 15-year felony, as a third habitual offender. This enhancement doubles his maximum penalty to 30 years.